Grand jury to hear alleged Uhrichsville arsonist's case

Following a preliminary hearing in the Tuscarawas County Southern District Court on Tuesday, Marty Bartholow’s case will be sent to a grand jury. Bartholow, 53, is accused of deliberately setting an RV on fire Thursday night, at a home in the 1800 block of N. Water Street Ext. in Uhrichsville, where he was residing.

Following a preliminary hearing in the Tuscarawas County Southern District Court on Tuesday, Marty Bartholow’s case will be sent to a grand jury.

Bartholow, 53, is accused of deliberately setting an RV on fire Thursday night, at a home in the 1800 block of N. Water Street Ext. in Uhrichsville, where he was residing. He has remained in the Tuscarawas County Jail since his arrest on a fourth-degree felony charge of arson.

Tuscarawas County Prosecutor Ryan Styer said a conviction could mean up to 18 months in prison.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Jason L. Jackson listened to testimony from the victim’s ex-wife, Dorothy Davis, who lives at the residence as well, her neighbor Danette Nichols, and the State Fire Marshal’s investigator, Brian Peterman.

Each of them was questioned by Bartholow’s public defender, John Gartrell.

Davis said Bartholow lived in an RV on her property for the last two years. She said she was in charge of his finances to keep him from using his money to buy alcohol.

She said she and Bartholow got into an argument when he asked her for money. “He doesn’t understand the value of money,” she said.

She said Bartholow was intoxicated at the time and after her refusal, he said, “There’s going to be fireworks.”

“That’s what he says all the time when he doesn’t get his money,” she continued.

She said that Bartholow also set other fires at the residence.

The investigator testified last, saying the fire was intentional, and therefore, arson. He said the fire originated on the loveseat behind the driver’s seat and flammable materials inside the motor home were used to start it.

Peterman said the person would have used a lighter, however no lighter was found. Peterman also said the RV was not hooked up to electricity and that he did interview Bartholow, who is denying the charges or involvement in the fire.